Well, many of you may not know that I only started golf last July after falling in love with the game at a corporate Golf Day. I joined TSG in August and had mostly a Taylormade Bag at the time, by the time I full converted to JDM it was late fall and there was no golf left to play. The last two weeks, the weather finally got good here in Toronto, the first week I had a fever for 4 days then had to have a root canal. Finally today I got out for 18 holes to see if the winter of practice at the indoor range and lessons plus lots of new JDM equipment had paid off.

Firstly I want to thank Chris here at TSG, not only is he a good friend and great guy, he knows everything about JDM equipment and is totally honest about it. He has helped me learn so much and when I wanted something that wasn't right for me he told me so without hesitation. He set me up with all my gear and helped me make choices on every piece of equipment. He and Jacque and TSG have made golf so fun for me. I have practiced hard and spend countless hours studying my many Japanese Golf Magazine subscriptions. And it helps to have a Japanese wife who I must thank for also being patient and understanding with this hobby of mine. Haha this is like a victory speech or something!

So on to today. I was nervous the first hole as I had only hit the Roddio/Inpres X 460D at the range. I am not the best at driving the ball. I have always struggled with a slice and until I got the Axiv hit too many shafts that felt to0 boardy and stiff for me with no feel. I do not have a fast swing, so discovering JDM shafts is a blessing for me. Not only do they fit my swing profile the feel is amazing. The Roddio is so smooth and feel is superb. My clubfitter was part of our foursome today and he said the Roddio W5BA was loading and unloading perfectly for me. It felt great and honestly works amazingly with the Yamaha 460cc head which I am pleasantly surprised about. The driver is super forgiving, with it's closed face that helps me hit straighter and the shaft loads and kicks well with feel I honestly think is better than the Axiv. The roll is also fantastic.

However, I was not hitting my woods well today. The drives on the first three holes were pretty good then my swing got funky. However the rest of my bag saved me. Because I wasn't driving the ball well the woods weren't doing so good either so I had to rely on my short game. Let me tell you this, My Epon Model X wedges saved me many times, in the sand, in the rough, I stuck many balls close to the pin. The wedges are unbelievably versatile. They worked for me in every condition.

I also hit a few really good shots with my Scratch Inpakuto PW. It is just so soft like butter, I'm really happy I thought of getting a custom PW. My clubfitter has a 60* Scratch and he is telling me it's his fav club right now.

Another club that really surprised me and saved me from the rough a few times was the Fourteen UT-106 that Chris recommended I get. He was dead on. I thought I preferred the wood style utility but this baby with an iron type face rocked!! When I hit it solid it was a pure bullet. Paired with a Tour AD UT-85 it is so easy to hit.

It's like Blader-X said, when your equipment works so well and it all comes together for you, it just makes the game such a joy to play. After a few sand saves with the Epon and putting with my Gauge The One putter to make par, I was smiling from ear to ear.

The ViQ forged were also very reliable and the Axiv shafts a big improvement for me because of my slow swingspeed, I basically had a great day with Utilities, Irons, Wedges and Putter. My failure with the woods was more my swing being off than the equipment (I was off the toe far too often with the driver). I did not even hit my Royal Collection CV Pro 18* 5 wood once because I just didn't feel confident with my woods, but my clubfitter borrowed it for one hole and ended up 220yards right next to the pin. So without a doubt all the equipment was awesome.... just need to practice more now.

Anyway a productive first day and yeah I love my JDM bag!! Pics added below too:

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JDM equipment is beautiful to look at, . . .

but, its even better to put into play.

Thanks for sharing. Now get out there tomorrow and play again!!

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Give us some pics sounds cool. (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/tsg_smilie_surprise.gif)

T, I had no idea you were so new to the game... but I am glad that you are having so much fun with it, both on and off the course!

Congrats, sounds like a great day =)

and yeah, pics =D Updated your WITB yet ;)

Gocchin,

for someone so young in the tooth, your posts are always informative and entertaining. We are lucky to have you onboard (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/tsg_smilie_smile2.gif)

One year in and look not only at your knowledge, but your club collection! (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/tsg_smilie_surprise.gif)
I have to beg, borrow and steal to get my wife to let me add a club a year! Your gear rocks! Thanks for all the insight into the JDM mags as well as the blog. After a few more months with the Yamaha, give us a full fledged review. I love TSG

Kent

gocchin, I know you love golf. But man, you have been playing less than a year and already know more than 99.9% of the global population about JDM equipment.

You must have an IQ of 160+.

More importantly, now the weather is conducive get out to the course and wear those babies out!!

I'm sure with your dedication you will be down to single figures in no time.

Keep up the good work on the site, we all love your posts.

Congrats on the great bag!!

I've always said Golf is supposed to be fun.

Having a bag full of JDM equipment is half the fun. (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/atsg_smilie_roll.gif)

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Great Post!!

Would have never believed you just took the game up based on your knowledge and passion evidenced by the divot in your living room.

Love to see some pics of the bag.

Gocchin,
I remember when you first came on board but I had no idea you were so new to the game. Thanks for all the advice and information you've given me lately. Congrats on the JDM bag and I'll be looking forward to more of your informative posts.

Thomas

As Forrest Gump would have said: "Wow! Only one year! And that's all I've got to say about that!"

Hi T:

You know we have a golf date when I come back from overseas in 2 weeks time, right? I cannot wait when I actually get to try out your Roddio in real condition and compare it to my white board and Six on my Epon(s). AS for putter, it would be the Matsu against the Gauge.